Located in Sacramento and Modesto, these unique facilities host a
variety of structured and open-format maker and design-thinking
activities that encourage girls to embrace the spirit of scientific
discovery in their lives. The STEM Center + MakerSpace initiative is
an investment in the next generation of Go-getters, Innovators,
Risk-takers and Leaders (G.I.R.L.s.), and will serve as a hub for girl
innovation, exploration and discovery for Girl Scouts throughout our
18-county region.

Designed by a task force of local girl innovators, the STEM Center +
MakerSpace focuses on three key aspects of STEM:
Engineering, Programming, and Biology and Environmental
Science. The center also includes a MakerSpace that encourages
the use of design thinking and collaborative problem
solving.

Through a variety of cooperative learning opportunities and hands-on
experimentation, girls hone key STEM-related skills such as
creativity, innovation, critical thinking and problem solving all
while having fun and gaining confidence. Plus, they learn
about STEM careers and meet female STEM professionals
while they’re at it.

Ongoing Calendar of Events

STEM Center events and workshops for both the Sacramento and Modesto
locations are posted to the Activities page.

Programming:

Girls design and program robots, learn coding and develop an
understanding of programming careers.

Biology & Environmental Science:

Girls are introduced to methods environmental scientists and
biologists use to make scientific discoveries, learn how observation
and data collection can enable everyday people to help
scientists better understand the world, and have the
opportunity to contribute to real scientific research.

MakerSpace:

The MakerSpace connects girls to the global Maker Movement, and
expose them to larger, more exciting ideas that will challenge them to
dream bigger. The MakerSpace provides girls with a place to further
develop their design thinking and making skills in a less-structured
environment, with resources, more advanced tools and self-guided
activities with prompts.

Girl Scouts Heart of Central
California’s STEM Center + MakerSpace will be a local incubator of
exploration in STEM. Through collaboration, innovation,
experimentation and discovery, girls will develop key STEM skills,
cultivate their understanding of and interest in STEM and gain
confidence in their STEM abilities.

Why Girl Scouts?

Girl Scouts has been the nation’s premier leadership organization for
girls for more than 100 years. Our proven leadership program provides
girls with a supportive place for growth, exploration and achievement.
In fact, our programs have inspired nearly half of our nation’s female
business leaders, movers and shakers in public service, and nearly
every woman who has flown into space.

Girl Scouts all over the country are now taking the lead in
fueling girls’ STEM innovation. Locally, Girl Scouts Heart of Central
California provides the exclusive Girl Scout Leadership Experience to
more than 18,000 girls in 18 counties. Want to know more about us? Take a look Girls everywhere deserve an
opportunity to explore science, technology, engineering and math, and
GSHCC is proud to lead the way.

Want to help?

We’re always adding new partners, collaborators and volunteers. Donate to
the cause.